What to Know About Ok-Pop Group SEVENTEEN Members

They had been going full steam forward of their world tour schedule, contemporary off the North American leg of Ode to You and slated to carry out in a number of extra cities throughout Asia and Europe. However after their live performance in Pasay, the Philippines, Ok-pop powerhouse SEVENTEEN canceled the remaining reveals in February and March as a result of coronavirus pandemic. Regardless of the change in plans, the 13-member group from South Korea nonetheless discovered methods to deliver followers collectively. “Left & Proper,” SEVENTEEN’s new title monitor from the newest album Heng:garae, created the right alternative for a quarantine TikTok dance problem. With an easy-to-learn refrain routine—choreographed by fundamental dancer Hoshi and members of Staff Identical, a choreography crew SEVENTEEN works with frequently—and a catchy chorus resonant of the Cupid Shuffle, “Left & Proper” drew followers from around the globe, and numerous Ok-pop artists, to groove alongside.

Heng:garae’s success didn’t cease there. The album—whose title is the Korean phrase for throwing somebody into the air in celebration—bought multiple million bodily copies in its first week, in keeping with the music chart Hanteo. BTS is the one different Korean act to have surpassed this quantity with its first-week gross sales. Heng:garae now ranks third in all-time weekly album gross sales in South Korea, behind BTS’ Map of the Soul: 7 and Map of the Soul: Persona. SEVENTEEN’s path to this milestone—and, extra broadly, to turning into one of many high Ok-pop teams internationally—has been a sluggish and regular rise because the act’s debut in 2015. The 13 members’ expertise vary from songwriting to choreographing along with their experience in singing, rapping and dancing, therefore establishing their sturdy repute within the Ok-pop trade as self-producing idols.

In Might, Huge Hit Leisure, residence to BTS, turned the biggest shareholder of PLEDIS Leisure, SEVENTEEN’s label. Whereas PLEDIS is predicted to retain its independence, the transfer has prompted SEVENTEEN’s followers to debate what adjustments this may deliver to the group.

Here’s a primer on SEVENTEEN, together with the background behind the group’s identify, who’s who among the many members and the place to begin with their music.

Why are they referred to as SEVENTEEN?

The quantity is the sum of 13 members, the three sub-groups they break into and the one crew they kind after they all come collectively.

What are the sub-groups in SEVENTEEN?

In a bunch of this measurement, showcasing particular person expertise turns into difficult, as most three-to-four-minute songs are divided amongst 13 members. SEVENTEEN’s sub-group system helps resolve this drawback. The hip-hop unit (S. Coups, Wonwoo, Mingyu, Vernon), vocal unit (Woozi, Jeonghan, Joshua, DK, Seungkwan) and efficiency unit (Hoshi, Jun, The8, Dino) specialise in rapping, singing and dancing, respectively. On most albums since 2015, the members document songs in these models along with recording as an entire group. Totally different combos of the artists are frequently shaped, together with a “Leaders” unit—that includes the leaders of the three sub-groups—and the particular unit BSS, consisting of comedic trio Seungkwan, DK and Hoshi.

What makes SEVENTEEN totally different from different teams?

SEVENTEEN has promoted itself as a self-producing group since debut. This doesn’t imply that the members create their materials totally on their very own, as they’ve repeatedly acknowledged the producers and choreographers with whom they work carefully. Nonetheless, it’s uncommon for Ok-pop acts to be so closely concerned within the course of each album and efficiency, particularly from inception. Within the act’s first mini album in 2015, 17 Carat, vocalist Woozi contributed to the writing of all 5 tracks and Hoshi labored on the choreography for 2 songs, “Shining Diamond” and “Adore U.” Since then, each members have retained main roles of their respective areas.

Over the previous 5 years, Woozi has co-composed most of SEVENTEEN’s songs alongside PLEDIS’ in-house producer Bumzu, and takes on a directing position within the recording studio. Different members are frequent contributors to the music manufacturing, with the 4 rappers of the hip-hop crew writing lyrics for his or her sub-unit’s tracks. By 2017, all members of SEVENTEEN had writing credit. And whereas Hoshi has co-choreographed most of SEVENTEEN’s title tracks up to now, the opposite three members of the efficiency crew frequently create choreography for his or her sub-unit’s songs and different initiatives.

SEVENTEEN additionally units itself aside for being bigger than most Korean idol teams. The dimensions creates alternatives for visible storytelling by way of the act’s formation in performances. Within the current launch “My My,” the artists’ strikes paint the image of fundamental vocalist Seungkwan driving on a ship within the splashing sea. Within the 2017 hit tune “Don’t Wanna Cry,” their positioning creates the picture of two members strolling underneath road lamps. These scenes can be rather more troublesome, or inconceivable, for smaller teams to execute. Regardless of its giant measurement, SEVENTEEN has additionally earned recognition as one of the vital synchronized Ok-pop acts. The choreography video for “Don’t Wanna Cry,” as an example, reveals all members dancing with excessive precision and near-perfect timing.

Who’re the members of SEVENTEEN?

S.Coups (Full Title: Choi Seungcheol), 24

Unit: Hip-hop Staff (Chief)

The chief of each SEVENTEEN as an entire and the hip-hop unit, S.Coups shoulders probably the most accountability. His management energy lies in his capacity to search out alternatives for all members to shine, generally by stepping again himself. With a stage identify that mixes “S” for the primary letter in his identify, Seungcheol, and “Coups” for “Coup d’état,” S.Coups has a dominating presence onstage as he raps and dances. Final November, PLEDIS introduced that S.Coups would take a hiatus attributable to signs of tension. Within the current documentary SEVENTEEN: Hit the Street, which aired in Might, he opens up about this expertise. The oldest member has since returned, absolutely taking part within the album promotions for Heng:garae and posting a number of messages of because of Carats—the identify for the group’s followers—on the neighborhood platform WeVerse.

Jeonghan (Full Title: Yoon Jeonghan), 24

Unit: Vocal Staff

The vocalist with an ethereal voice, Jeonghan’s verses in SEVENTEEN’s songs are sometimes soothing. He’s apparently self-aware in relation to this high quality, having began the reside radio collection “Glass of Heat Milk” on the streaming platform V Reside in 2017. “Once you drink a heat cup of milk and shut your eyes, you fall asleep instantly,” he stated within the first present, expressing that he needs to assist listeners go to sleep extra simply. Jeonghan continuously offers a mischievous comedian reduction within the group’s selection present appearances, creating chaos in any setting from mafia video games to mini quadricycle races.

Joshua (Full Title: Hong Jisoo), 24

Unit: Vocal Staff

Hailing from Los Angeles, Joshua moved to Korea as a young person to turn out to be an idol. Though he is without doubt one of the group’s extra soft-spoken personalities, Joshua takes on the unofficial roles of the translator and the spokesperson—together with fellow Korean-American Vernon—when SEVENTEEN is within the States. Joshua’s mild voice is highlighted within the group’s tracks, and he additionally performs the guitar after being on the musical worship crew when he attended church within the U.S. The vocalist carries an air of sophistication—he has launched himself as “SEVENTEEN’s gentleman”—and hosts “Wine and Cheese” reside broadcasts the place he makes tune suggestions.

Jun (Full Title: Wen Junhui), 24

Unit: Efficiency Staff

Born in Guangdong, China, Jun launched his profession within the leisure trade as a baby actor. He starred in a number of TV collection and movies earlier than becoming a member of SEVENTEEN. An animated performer, Jun is nimble along with his physique and shows a big selection of facial expressions. The singer launched his solo single “Can You Sit By My Facet” in 2018, and, past the group’s tracks, showcases his delicate voice in covers of Mandarin songs. Most just lately, Jun and the group’s different Chinese language member, The8, recorded Mandarin variations of songs from the soundtrack of the favored Korean drama “The King: Everlasting Monarch.”

Hoshi (Full Title: Kwon Soonyoung), 24

Unit: Efficiency Staff (Chief)

The group’s fundamental choreographer, Hoshi packs storytelling into complicated dance strikes. Past his choreographing experience, he’s a pacesetter in SEVENTEEN’s performances along with his explosive vitality. His stage identify, quick for “tiger’s gaze” in Korean, is an apt description of the fierce depth he exudes when performing. However the artist has successfully turned this persona right into a meme. He continually refers to himself as a tiger, wears clothes that feature tigers and poses with fingers that imitate a tiger’s paws at any likelihood he will get—prompting his bandmates to repeatedly remind him in jest that he’s, the truth is, human.

Wonwoo (Full Title: Jeon Wonwoo), 24

Unit: Hip-hop Staff

Wonwoo’s deep-voiced rapping is well recognizable throughout SEVENTEEN’s songs, and he has delivered numerous the impactful opening and shutting elements in current title tracks. In addition to his hobbies as a reader and a gamer, Wonwoo has expertise in video modifying—he directed the 2018 music video for the group’s summery monitor “Vacation.” In Hit the Street, Wonwoo talks about feeling at residence within the group though he has a extra reserved persona. “I’m a really introverted particular person naturally, so I all the time felt I couldn’t slot in that nicely, anyplace, since I used to be younger,” he stated. “However in SEVENTEEN, I didn’t get any of that feeling.”

Woozi (Full Title: Lee Jihoon), 23

Unit: Vocal Staff (Chief)

In addition to co-composing nearly all of SEVENTEEN’s tracks, Woozi has written songs for numerous different Korean artists, from lady teams to soloists. With a background in classical music, he performs a variety of devices, together with the piano, guitar, drums and clarinet. Whereas behind-the-scenes clips of recording studio periods spotlight Woozi’s extra severe facet as he diligently fine-tunes each member’s half, the various SEVENTEEN actuality reveals from throughout the years present him relaxed and continuously bursting into laughter at his bandmates’ antics.

DK (Full Title: Lee Seokmin), 23

Unit: Vocal Staff

DK, or Dokyeom, is understood for his heat and wealthy voice as one of many group’s two fundamental vocalists. Though he as soon as shared doubts about this place on SEVENTEEN’s pre-debut actuality present, DK has developed right into a poised singer and a pillar of the act’s vocal performances. Exterior of the group’s tracks, he usually shares song covers which can be recorded casually whereas sitting on the ground and strumming the guitar. In 2019 DK starred within the musical Xcalibur, enjoying the lead position of King Arthur in his first enterprise into theatrical appearing. He’s considered one of SEVENTEEN’s key mood-makers, with an enthusiastic and goofy character.

Mingyu (Full Title: Kim Mingyu), 23

Unit: Hip-hop Staff

Although Mingyu’s official position in SEVENTEEN is a rapper, he’s extra of a renaissance man. His work had been as soon as showcased at “17’S CUT,” an exhibit celebrating the group’s third anniversary. The 6-foot-something member is usually carrying a digicam, and just lately directed a music video for the monitor “Snap Shoot” for which he’s credited in each position from Producer to Stylist. Past the humanities, Mingyu has proven expertise as a prepare dinner. When the members of SEVENTEEN turned island castaways for one of many group’s selection reveals, Mingyu deftly mastered duties from gutting and cleansing fish to breading and frying hen.

The8 (Full Title: Xu Minghao), 22

Unit: Efficiency Staff

With years of expertise in Wushu, or Chinese language martial arts, and breakdancing, The8 just isn’t solely a lithe dancer however a specialist in flips and jumps just like the butterfly kick. Hailing from Liaoning, China, The8—whose stage identify comes from the quantity resembling the infinity image when laid sideways, in addition to it being a fortunate quantity in Chinese language tradition—is enthusiastic about artwork and style. His canvas paintings make frequent appearances on SEVENTEEN’s social media accounts, and The8 painted the cover art for his two solo singles in Mandarin, “Goals Come True” and “Falling Down”—each of which he co-composed.

Seungkwan (Full Title: Boo Seungkwan), 22

Unit: Vocal Staff

The principle vocalist of the group together with DK, Seungkwan excels at regular tune supply in reside performances. When he’s not hitting excessive notes or competing with fellow members to hit the best notice, Seungkwan is busy being the group’s “selection king”—a nickname given to these in Ok-pop teams who’ve a knack for entertaining the viewers. All the time able to poke fun at himself, the artist from Jeju Island has been a solid member of speak reveals exterior of SEVENTEEN’s personal collection. He was awarded the “Rookie Award for Music and Speak” on the 2018 MBC Leisure Awards for his work in two reveals.

Vernon (Full Title: Hansol Vernon Chwe), 22

Unit: Hip-hop crew

Born in New York, Vernon moved to Korea when he was younger and is fluent in each English and Korean. The rapper has an in depth record of songwriting credit throughout SEVENTEEN’s discography, taking part in crafting the lyrics for a number of tracks in addition to contributing to tune composition—together with “My My” on the newest album. Behind his laid-back nature is a quiet dedication to his craft. Hit the Street reveals Vernon, after midnight, establishing his recording gear and rapping within the solitude of a resort room.

Dino (Full Title: Lee Chan), 21

Unit: Efficiency Staff

Although he’s the youngest member of the group, Dino has been considered one of its boldest performers. He doesn’t miss a beat when prompted to bop in unfamiliar settings, and confidently busts out strikes on the streets. Dino has performed an energetic position in choreographing SEVENTEEN’s performances through the years, and notably created the six-person dance for the monitor “Flower.” In 2018 he began “Dino’s Danceology,” a collection of routines he choreographs to songs by different artists. A standout is the video for Jonas Brothers’ “Sucker,” the place Dino shows his trove of facial expressions and sharp strikes as he dances by the seashore.

Which selection reveals assist introduce the group to newcomers?

Selection reveals are a key manner for members of Ok-pop teams to point out elements of their personalities which can be usually totally different from their onstage personas. To get began, SEVENTEEN PROJECT: Debut Huge Plan is a actuality collection following the 13 members as they perform missions within the last days main as much as their debut in Might 2015. One Effective Day—13 Castaway Boys and One Effective Day in Japan—which aired in 2016 and 2017, respectively—take a look at the members’ survival expertise as they navigate life on an island within the former and full assigned quests throughout Japan within the latter. The continued actuality collection GOING SEVENTEEN is a mixture of video games, challenges, behind-the-scenes moments and extra edited into weekly episodes launched on YouTube and V Reside.

On a July 2020 episode of GOING SEVENTEEN modeled after America’s Acquired Expertise, member Wonwoo sang two phrases from “Curry,” a Korean tune launched by musical duo Norazo in 2010 that has lyrics containing stereotypes about South Asian tradition. The tune has been performed and carried out in varied Korean selection reveals through the years. After followers expressed concerns in regards to the insensitivity of “Curry” on social media (and identified that members DK and Vernon additionally sang traces from the tune in a video from April 2020), one singer in Norazo posted an apology for the offense attributable to the tune. PLEDIS responded to TIME’s request for remark by saying it has no official assertion concerning the incident.

The place ought to I begin with their music?

SEVENTEEN’s title tracks are a very good place to start, as they span genres and set totally different moods. The dance-pop quantity “Left & Proper” has the sort of easy, groovy hook that’s prime for a TikTok problem, with melodies that add complexity. Whereas the sooner works “Adore U” and “Very Good” are SEVENTEEN canon, they’re contemporary and youthful anthems that distinction with the extra introspective, emotional releases which have adopted, resembling “Don’t Wanna Cry” and “Thanks”.

For ballads, attempt “Smile Flower,” that includes all 13 members, or fan-favorites from the vocal unit like “Don’t Hear in Secret” and “Behavior.” For hard-hitting performance-centric tracks with a few of SEVENTEEN’s most demanding choreography, the dance follow movies of “Hit” and “Getting Nearer” present the group pushing past bodily limits.

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